Posted on Date 20th Dec 2023
Kitchen tile inspiration
Popular and on-trend kitchen tile ideas
The great thing about tiling is that you can revamp your interior to suit your personal taste and style. From white minimalist tiles arranged in a stunning herringbone pattern to bold colours, busy mosaics and eye-catching textures, theres something for everyone.
While marble creates a chic, fresh and modern environment, quarry kitchen tiles bring rustic warmth to barn conversions and country cottages. The tiles you choose depend heavily on the type of property youre renovating and how you imagine your kitchen to be
Read on to find out more about popular and upcoming tile designs and how you can bring your space to life.
Popular kitchen tile styles
Choosing the right tiles for your kitchen floors and walls is an important decision and one you should spend time thinking about.
Do you want to create a feature wall using patterned tiles or do you prefer the chic, contemporary look of marble? Are you hoping for a gloss finish or is a matt tile more to your liking?
Theres no right or wrong answer but its a good idea to think about what would work with your existing or new colour scheme. Whats more, be sure to buy tiles that are fit for purpose.
Kitchen floor tiles, for example, are specifically made to be durable, and long-lasting, often boasting non-slip properties to prevent accidents. Many are also suitable for use with underfloor heating, so this is also something to look out for.
Below are some of the most popular kitchen tile styles to consider:
Hexagon kitchen tile ideas
The honeycomb shape of hexagon tiles is pleasing to the eye and can add interest to your kitchen floors and walls. Hexagon tiles are available in multiple sizes and can be used to create attractive splashbacks and unique borders.
You can use hexagon tiles sparingly to draw attention to a particular cosy eating corner, or you can use them to completely cover your kitchen floor.
Tiles of this kind look particularly good with coloured grouting as this really emphasises the hexagon shape of each tile. Hexagon tiles are easy to wipe clean and maintain.
Marble effect kitchen tile ideas
Add a touch of opulence and luxury to your home for less with beautiful marble effect kitchen tiles. Offering the glamour of real marble without the expensive price tag, marble effect kitchen tiles are durable, elegant and will integrate easily with almost any colour scheme.
Available in multiple shapes and sizes, marble effect tiles can be used to cover kitchen walls and floors. They reflect natural light, making any room feel bigger and brighter and often come with a stunning gloss effect.
Keep it simple with large-format marble squares that will decorate even the largest of kitchen floors. Or create a herringbone pattern out of rectangular marble tiles.
Marble has been the number one choice for many famous buildings over the years including the Taj Mahal and the Pantheon. Its beauty is timeless and now you can benefit from marble effect tiles with the natural veins of real marble.
Metro kitchen tile ideas
Inspired by the rectangular tiling found in classic underground/subway stations, metro kitchen tiles will bring timeless beauty to your kitchen. With a wide variety of colours available, you can unleash your creative side and experiment with a wide range of colour combinations and patterns.
While some people prefer tiling from floor to ceiling in one colour, others create unique borders in a different shade or play around with striking feature walls. White metro tiles contrast well with deep shades of blue and green or you could opt for black tiles for a striking contemporary twist. Both floor and wall tiles in this range are available.
Mosaic kitchen tile ideas
Popular with the Ancient Greeks, mosaic tiles have been around for centuries and continue to be a trending interior design trend. This is largely due to their versatility.
Mosaics bring colour, texture and personality to any room and are perfect for creating standout kitchen borders or visually impressive splashbacks. Many of the mosaic tiles available from Tile Warehouse are easy to lay because they are of a decent size but give the impression that theyre covered in multiple small tiles.
This creates intricate detailing but saves you from a tiring installation process. Mosaics can be simple and chic or bold with multiple colour variations. Take a look at the Hong Kong Square Mosaic (pictured below) if youre looking for a fun, quirky and earthy design.
Parquet kitchen tile ideas
Parquet is a type of wood flooring made by arranging small slats of wood in distinct, repeated patterns. The patterns are often entirely geometrical and angular, standing out for their intricacy.
But dont worry, with parquet effect kitchen tiles, you can get the look without having to worry about a complicated installation process. Parquet effect tiles for your floor and wall are perfect for retaining the rustic charm of real wood. There are also many different wood styles available from oak to wood, so you can get the exact look and feel you need.
Pattern kitchen tile ideas
Sometimes, plain just wont do and thats where patterned kitchen tiles come in handy. From Patchwork Arlington, inspired by the Victorian era, to the classic design of Jupiter Blue there are many different styles to choose from.
The monochromatic floral design of Chartwell Black is also a popular choice for kitchens, with its porcelain composition offering impressive durability and the black and white colour scheme complementing many colour pallets.
Patterned kitchen tiles are a popular choice for kitchens because they dont show crumbs and spills easily and are quick to wipe clean.
Quarry kitchen tile ideas
Quarry kitchen floor tiles are available in an array of patterns and styles. Theyre made from a mixture of clays and come with an earthy orange/red colour which guarantees to bring a rustic feel to any interior space.
Quarry kitchen tiles are also available in a range of other shades including black, silver and white, depending on your style needs. With anti-slip properties, most quarry tiles are suitable for wet areas. Theyre also compatible with underfloor heating and can be used to create a striking fireplace surround.
On-trend tile laying patterns for your kitchen
Choosing the right tile for your kitchen is one thing, but thats only half the job. You also need to think about how you want to lay your tiles as the pattern you have in mind might affect which tiles you choose. Herringbone patterns, for instance, are much easier to create with long, thin rectangular tiles. Read on to find out more about trendy tile laying styles.
Horizontal herringbone kitchen tiling
One of the most popular tiling patterns of recent years has been the horizontal herringbone. Designed to create a real sense of space, especially in smaller rooms, this pattern is easy to achieve. Simply lay your tiles so that they create a V shape pointing upwards. Its also worth considering using a contrasting grout to define your tile pattern.
Block herringbone kitchen tiling
When it comes to the block herringbone design for kitchen tiling, right angles are your friend. Essentially, a 90-degree pattern allows you to create a beautifully neat design thats easiest to build out from an established right-angle corner. Block herringbone tiling works well with long, thin rectangular shaped tiles.
Linear brick kitchen tiling
If you want to give your interior a contemporary makeover and love highly ordered patterns and designs, then the linear brick kitchen look could be the right option for you.
To get this look, you must choose either a rectangular or square tile and lay them directly in line one with one another. Accuracy is the key here and all tiles must be the same size. To add interest to this linear style, why not throw in a variety of colours or use a coloured grout?
Diamond kitchen tiling
If youre looking to make an instant statement or are researching feature wall ideas, diamond kitchen tiling is likely to appeal. To get the look, simply invest in the right number of square tiles and turn them on their side to form a geometric diamond.
The overall effect is highly impressive and will stand out from the rest of your tiling or paintwork. Again, think carefully about what colours work together if youre not a fan of plain tiling and also consider different grouts. As a note, its worth ordering 10% more tiles that you think you need, just in case some get damaged during the installation process.
Basket weave kitchen tiling
Why take the easy option when you can have a go at the basket weave design? This will add a sense of character and charm to your property and is a great challenge for the more experienced DIYer looking to step out of their comfort zone.
The basket weave tiling layout is a rather tricky arrangement of rectangular subway tiles. To create this, you need to be able to lay two or more tiles alongside each other to make a square shape. If the first lot of tiles are placed down horizontally, the next lot of tiles will need to be placed vertically. Be sure to alternate the angle each time you lay down a new set of two or more tiles.
Brick bond kitchen tiling
When it comes to classic tiling patterns, the brick bond look (also known as 50:50) is timeless and never goes out of fashion. Its great for kitchens and is perfect for creating beautiful splashbacks. This look is suitable for rectangular tiles under 30x60cm and works well on both floors and walls.
To create this unique pattern, simply line up the end of each tile with the centre of the tile above and below to create staggered grout lines. Why not really emphasise the brick bond layout by choosing a contrasting-coloured grout?
Staggered brick bond kitchen tiling
This is like the brick bond look; however, bigger tiles are usually required to create the illusion of a wider room. Also known as 70:30, staggered brick bond tiling is typically suited to tiles that are larger than 30x60cm.
Vertical brick bond kitchen tiling
Just like staggered brick bond tiling is used to make a room feel wider, vertical brick bond tiling or stepladder tiling as its sometimes known helps to make a room feel a little taller.
Instead of working horizontally, you work vertically so that the tiles climb upwards. Vertical brick bond tiling looks chic and elegant and is a twist on traditional brick bond tiling. Dont be afraid to play around with colours that work well together for added interest. Or you can opt for black and white tiles with a coloured grout to really emphasise the way each tile has been aligned.
Kitchen tile splashback ideas
Many modern and stylish kitchens come with a beautifully styled splashback. To get the look, why not play around with different tile varieties and looks? Mosaics are a great option as they hide many splashes and spills and will look good for years to come. Metro tiles offer a timeless yet contemporary look while gloss marble will bring opulence into your home. You could even go for glass tiles to really make a statement. Tiles that are smooth are easier to wipe clean.
Need more information?
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Further reading
If this has whetted your appetite to learn more about tiles, then why not check these other related advice articles